Question 1

As seen in Six Sigma methodology, the role of the leader has been transformed and updated in quality management to become that of a(an) ___________.

Accepted Answer

In Six Sigma methodology, the role of the leader is that of a problem solver.
Key Takeaway: The role and definition of leadership within enterprises has undergone several transformations over the years. In Six Sigma methodology, the role of leadership is to solve problems that impede processes and make them ineffective. Solving problems entails their proper identification within a team setting and using appropriate tools and techniques to reach a resolution.

Question 2

In enterprises, Black Belts work full-time on projects using Six Sigma tools and methodologies. Some business executives believe that Black Belts should constitute ________ of an organization's employees.

Accepted Answer

Some business executives believe that Black Belts should constitute 1% of an organization's employees.
Key Takeaway: Within the Six Sigma practitioner classes, Black Belts work full-time on projects. These practitioners are tasked with prioritizing the projects according to their financial and operational impacts on the enterprise. Among the important qualities of Black Belts is the use of statistical analysis tools as well as the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.

Question 3

An enterprise's long-term strategic goals must match their organizational processes and objectives. One such method in Six Sigma methodology to provide a match is:

Accepted Answer

One such method in Six Sigma methodology is referred to as Hoshin planning.
Key Takeaway: Hoshin planning guides an enterprise in developing up to four vision statements that would provide strategic guidance over the coming five years. The goal behind Hoshin planning is to narrow the focus of the company's strategic vision which also helps match it to current organizational processes and objectives.

Question 4

Six Sigma is a fact-based, rigorous methodology in process and quality improvement that aims for defect prevention in products rather than defect detection. Six Sigma quality performance means there are ____ defects per million opportunities.

Accepted Answer

Six Sigma quality performance means that there are 3.4 defects per million opportunities.
Key Takeaway: Six Sigma methodology provides a concrete and fact-based methodology to limit the number of defects per million opportunities such as products. The aim of implementing the methodology is to limit these defects to 3.4 which translates to a 1.5-sigma shift in the mean.

Question 5

A business system is:

Accepted Answer

A business system is designed to implement a set of processes.
Key Takeaway: Business systems are designed to monitor and implement a set of processes that lead to products or services. The function of a business system is to ensure that process inputs are correctly and sufficient resources are available for each process. Business systems are also responsible for gathering data and information about process efficiency.

Question 6

Jason's team is launching a new support service network for their cellular phone customers. As the leader, Jason coordinates all functions of the launch and has sufficient managerial autonomy to make independent decisions. Jason is considered the:

Accepted Answer

Jason is considered the process owner.
Key Takeaway: A process owner in an organization or a company has sufficient power and autonomy to be decision makers. They often lead groups and are responsible for the outcome of processes within projects. A process owner usually reports to senior executives and is held responsible for delays and other complications.

Question 7

Janine is a senior financial manager who has ensured that the hospital in which she leads the finance department has all the resources necessary to implement Six Sigma methodologies. Janine is considered a:

Accepted Answer

Janine is considered a champion.
Key Takeaway: Champions within an organization are individuals who are business leaders or senior managers and who are well versed in Six Sigma methodologies. Champions understand that Six Sigma requires sufficient financial, human, and operational resources to bring about successful outcomes. While they are typically involved in senior management, champions make sure that practitioners such as Black Belts have these resources.

Question 8

The following are all members of a project selection group EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Green Belts are not members of a project selection group.
Key Takeaway: In an organization, a project selection group is comprised of senior members that include key executive supporters such as a Chief Financial Officer, champions, and master Black Belts. These senior members of the group have the responsibility of establishing project criteria and selecting team members. Project selection groups typically assign projects to Six Sigma teams within the organization and they provide feedback on results and outputs. The goal of a project selection group's work is to make sure that current methodologies are sufficient to further organizational goals.

Question 9

A Six Sigma team is tasked with analyzing the risks involved in expanding their markets into locally competitive areas. What type of analysis would allow the team to explore opportunities available?

Accepted Answer

SWOT analysis would allow the team to explore opportunities available.
Key Takeaway: SWOT analysis refers to strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This type of analysis is an important aspect of risk analysis that Six Sigma teams often use. When exploring a new market, SWOT analysis can help shed light on opportunities such as the right demographic of consumers who may be interested in the company's products.

Question 10

Black Belts and Master Black Belts are often tasked with conducting a closed-loop assessment of a Six Sigma methodology or project. This type of formal evaluation is done to ensure that the methodology was followed correctly and to assess its results. The following are questions that are likely asked in this assessment EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The following question is not asked in a closed-loop assessment: what are the project's pro-forma projections?
Key Takeaway: Black Belts and Master Black Belts conduct closed-loop assessments of Six Sigma methodologies to make sure that all aspects have been implemented. These assessments are also used to assess whether the methodologies had led to the desired outcomes. For example, an assessment would explore whether SWOT projections were accurate and what they may have missed in the risk analysis portion of a project.

Question 11

Which quality management professional is referred to as the father of statistical quality control (SQC)?

Accepted Answer

Walter Shewhart is referred to as the father of statistical quality control (SQC).
Key Takeaway: Walter Shewhart is credited with the advancement of statistical quality control in processes. He worked at the Hawthorne plant of Western Electric and is said to have combined the disciplines of statistics, engineering and economics in order to advance quality control through rigorous methodologies.

Question 12

In his famous book, Out of the Crisis, the following author developed a list of 14 points which are used to explore needs to change management structure:

Accepted Answer

W. Edwards Deming wrote the famous book, Out of the Crisis.
Key Takeaway: W. Edwards Deming is credited with earlier quality control measures that he compiled in his book, Out of the Crisis. The book detailed 14 points which Deming believed to be important in changing management structure to make a company more efficient. Examples of the points include breaking down barriers between different staff and departments as well as creating an environment of constant improvement in processes.

Question 13

While Six Sigma methodologies were being developed in the 1980s, this quality control approach was used by companies in that period and into the middle of the 1990s. In this approach, companies measure their performance with the best-in-class companies and this is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

This approach is referred to as benchmarking.
Key Takeaway: Benchmarking is a quality improvement and control approach that companies use to improve their processes. A company uses best-in-class companies' outputs in order to create benchmarks to which they can aspire. For example, if the best companies in telecommunications address client complaints within 24 hours, this is a benchmark that other companies can use in order to improve their customer quality.

Question 14

Kaoru Ishikawa worked with other quality professionals such as W.E. Deming to advance quality management. Among his philosophies was for a company to put quality as its greatest priority and not short term profits. Ishikawa is also credited with the development of:

Accepted Answer

Ishikawa is also credited with the development of the cause-and-effect diagram.
Key Takeaway: A cause-and-effect diagram is a quality improvement and control tool that matches a process component's cause with its effects. The goal of this type of diagram is to provide a visual display to employees and management in understanding where in a given process problems are likely to occur and lead to defects in a product or service.

Question 15

Processes are examined in terms of steps or units that turn inputs into an output such as a product or a service. The following are considered inputs EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Matrices are not considered inputs.
Key Takeaway: Process inputs are people, materials, methods, management, measurement systems, and the mother nature (environment). These inputs are considered important in the quality and efficiency of products and services. Processes often include sub-processes whereby inputs and resources are used. In quality control, it is important to assess whether sufficient resources have been provided in every process.

Question 16

To capture the Voice of the Customer (VOC), it is important to collect data from a large, representative sample of the target customer base. To collect this data, Six Sigma practitioners can use:

Accepted Answer

Surveys and questionnaires can be used to collect data about a target customer base.
Key Takeaway: Data collection is important in gaining information about an organization's target customer base. To capture the voice of their customers, business professionals can use surveys and questionnaires to gather information about their attitudes, preferences, demographics, and purchasing habits. The goal of using surveys and questionnaires is to gather objective and up-to-date information about customer requirements.

Question 17

Penmanship Inc. produces high quality pencils for a select group of customers. Within each production cycle of 10,000 pencils, there are two types of defects that can occur at the following rates: wrong dimensions (80 defects) and faulty eraser (45 defects). What is the Defects per Unit (DPU) measurement of this process?

Accepted Answer

The DPU measurement of this process is 0.0125.
Key Takeaway: Defects per Unit or DPU is a process performance metric that calculates the defect occurrence rate depending on a production cycle or process. In this example, the total number of defects per 10,000 pencils produced = 80 + 45 = 125 defects.
The DPU = Total Number of Defects ÷ Total Number of Units
= 125 ÷ 10, 000
= 0.0125

Question 18

Within each production cycle of 20,000 chairs, there are two types of defects that can occur at the following rates: wrong dimensions (240 defects) and loose bolts (100 defects). If the defects can occur only once in each item, what is the Defects per Million Opportunities (DPMO) measurement of this process?

Accepted Answer

The Defects per Million Opportunities (DPMO) are 8,500.
Key Takeaway: The Defects per Million Opportunities is a process performance metric that calculates the potential defects that can occur per million opportunities. Opportunities are considered ways that a defect can occur. Since the defects can occur once in each production cycle, DPMO is calculated as such:
Total number of opportunities for defects = 20,000 + 20,000
= 40,000
DPMO = (#defects X 1,000,000) ÷ (total number of opportunities for defects)
= (340 X 1,000,000) ÷ (40,000)
= 8,500

Question 19

Design for Test is a design technique that offers a benefit of:

Accepted Answer

Design for test is a design technique that offers a benefit of defect diagnosis.
Key Takeaway: Design for test, as a design technique, aims to introduce a testing capability in the manufacture of electronic. The goal of this technique is to introduce and validate the capability of diagnosing product defects. For example, a standard oven may have a function that provides a light warning to consumers that there is defect in the product.

Question 20

James is a Black Belt practitioner in a medium-sized organization. He engages in continuous assessment of projects and their potential impact on the organization's financial well-being. The cost of defects on an organization's finances is also referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Cost of Poor Quality or COPQ is the cost of defects on an organization's finances.
Key Takeaway: When an organization has a high percentage of defective products or services, it incurs a greater cost of re-work, warranties, returned items, and customer complaints' management. COPQ provides a numerical figure of how much these defects cost the organization.

Quiz 1: Black Belt